February 2012

February 29, 2012

Mike Napoli saw the St. Louis Cardinals signed catcher Yadier Molina to a five-year deal worth a reported $75 million, but didn’t read too much into the numbers. He doesn’t know what his value will be when he becomes a free agent after this season.

Napoli had discussions with the Texas Rangers this winter about a long-term deal, but those talks stalled. Instead, Napoli and the Rangers reached a one-year, $9.4 million in his final year of arbitration.

Napoli said talks of a deal have been “squashed,” and he’s focused on the season rather than free agency.

“I’d love to be here, but I’ll test the market,” Napoli said. “Every player plays to get to free agency. But it’s not something I’m going to worry about. That’s why I have my agent.”

Napoli is coming off his best season in the big leagues, hitting .320 with 30 home runs and 75 RBIs. He started 60 games at catcher, 31 at first base and 19 at designated hitter.

The Texas Rangers have announced their promotions schedule for the 2012 season, along with their ticket specials.

Individual tickets for all of this year's home games will go on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday, and can be purchased at the West ticket office at Rangers Ballpark, online at texasrangers.com or by phone at 972-726-4377.

There are a very limited number of tickets available for the home opener on Friday April 6 vs. the Chicago White Sox.

--Fans can bring their dogs to the ballpark on May 15 for Bark in the Park presented by Natural Balance Pet Foods (advanced registration required and available starting March 5 on texasrangers.com/barkinthepark) .

Yu Darvish threw a live batting practice session Wednesday, using all seven of his pitches during a 35-pitch session. He threw a two-seam, four-seam and split-finger fastball, cutter, curveball, slider and changeup.

Catcher Mike Napoli was impressed with all of them, and said Darvish continues to get better every time he’s caught him.

“He has great movement,” said Napoli, who has never caught a pitcher who threw all seven pitches. “He was throwing the sinker and it moved and he threw a couple of splits where the bottom just dropped out of it. He knows what he’s doing with the ball. He knows how to manipulate the ball.”

Yu Darvish threw a live batting practice session Wednesday, using all seven of his pitches during a 35-pitch session. He threw a two-seam, four-seam and split-finger fastball, cutter, curveball, slider and changeup.

Catcher Mike Napoli was impressed with all of them, and said Darvish continues to get better every time he’s caught him.

“He has great movement,” said Napoli, who has never caught a pitcher who threw all seven pitches. “He was throwing the sinker and it moved and he threw a couple of splits where the bottom just dropped out of it. He knows what he’s doing with the ball. He knows how to manipulate the ball.”

Yu Darvish was back on a mound Wednesday morning at the Surprise Recreation Campus. He threw 35 pitches over 10 minutes to hitters Chris McGuiness and Joey Butler. McGuiness might have had a soft single to center, but no other batted balls were close to being hits.

The Rangers have created a stir across baseball with the reported signing of Dominican outfielder Jairo Beras. A baseball source said that the Rangers have reached agreement with but have yet to sign the player, who they believe is 17 years old.

However, there is significant debate about Beras' age, with most believing he is 16 years old, and MLB is going to take a look into the matter. A 16-year-old can't be signed until July 2. That's also the date that the cap on international signings goes into effect as part of the new CBA.

Yu Darvish threw 35 pitches -- though our friends in the Japanese media say 36 -- during 10 minutes of live batting practice. He threw seven different types of pitches -- four-seamer, two-seamer, cutter, split, curveball, slider, changeup. Mike Napoli caught Darvish for the second time, and said that the right-hander can spin the ball really well and was getting his splitter to "drop off the table."

Shortstop Elvis Andrus went through a full day's workout for the first time this spring but is still feeling some discomfort at times in the area where he had a wart removed from his left heel. Andrus said that he will decide after Thursday morning's workout whether he will play in Thursday afternoon's intrasquad game.

The Rangers have announced who will pitch in the intrasquad games Thursday and Friday. Only one pitcher, Joe Beimel, will not throw either day.

In Wednesday's edition, Rangers manager Ron Washington talks about Alexi Ogando at the start of his daily media briefing. Long story short: The Rangers like Ogando. There's also talk about the need to pitch inside.

Mike Napoli said he'd be behind the plate. Mitch Moreland expects to be at first base.

Those are the two notable starters for the Texas Rangers' first intrasquad game of spring training, scheduled for Wednesday at the Surprise Recreation Campus.

Napoli, who is still recovering from a severe left ankle sprain, said he would play three or four innings, and take two at- bats during the game. Moreland expects to play, too, although he wasn't sure how many innings he'd go.

Other notes from Tuesday:

* Alberto Gonzalez, one of the candidates for the utility infielder job, said he is most comfortable playing shortstop, but is fine playing third and second base.

* The Rangers shot four commercials during the first week of spring training in Arizona. The players used included Derek Holland, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Beltre and Michael Young.

* Elvis Andrus, who is recovering from having a wart removed, is expected to increase his intensity today, running harder.